Finalists for 2025 tourism awards revealed

More than 45 of the area’s best tourism, hospitality and leisure businesses will go head-to-head at the prestigious Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards 2025, sponsored by the University of Staffordshire.

Following a rigorous independent judging process, 118 entries from across the region have been whittled down to help decide the shortlist of finalists in the 19 categories. 

The winners will be announced live at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony hosted by BBC Midlands Today’s Rebecca Wood, on Thursday 20th March 2025, at the Doubletree by Hilton Stoke-on-Trent.

Many of the ‘Gold’ winners will progress to represent Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence taking place in June 2025.

Philip White, Cabinet Member with responsibility for tourism at Staffordshire County Council said:

“The tourism awards are all about shining a light on our fantastic hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses and the amazing people working in them.

“The competition is a great way of recognising the diverse range of attractions, accommodation and food & drink businesses that continue to deliver outstanding customer experiences. The awards ceremony itself is also a brilliant event that I’m looking forward to.  It gives us a great opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate.  I’d like to congratulate all those businesses shortlisted in this year’s awards and wish them luck in the final.”

The finalists are:

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award:

• Alton Towers Resort
• Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• National Memorial Arboretum
• Trentham Estate

Business Events Venue of the Year, sponsored by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce:

• Alton Towers Resort
• Drayton Manor Resort
• Keele University Events & Conferencing
• Weston Park

Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year:

• Hales Hall Caravan & Camping Park
• Quarry Walk Park
• Secret Cloud House Holidays

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award, sponsored by University of Staffordshire:

• Alton Towers Resort
• Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Dorothy Clive Garden
• Eagle House, Eccleshall
• Hoar Cross Hall

Experience of the Year, sponsored by University of Staffordshire:

• Distillery Experience, Nelson’s Distillery & School, near Uttoxeter
• Dusk Beaver Safari, Trentham Estate
• Tower Tours, Lichfield Cathedral
• Tranquillity Spa Day, Moddershall Oaks Spa
• Serenity Spa Stay, Hoar Cross Hall

International Tourism Award

• World of Wedgwood

Large Hotel of the Year:

• CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Resort
• Courtyard by Marriott, Keele
• Doubletree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent
• Drayton Manor Hotel, Drayton Manor Resort
• Hoar Cross Hall, near Burton upon Trent
• The Tawny Hotel, near Leek

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:

• Alton Towers Resort
• Drayton Manor Resort
• National Memorial Arboretum
• Peak Wildlife Park
• The Trentham Estate
• Waterworld Leisure Resort
• World of Wedgwood

New Tourism Business of the Year:

• Adventure Mini Village
• Hockerhill Playbarn
• Jurassic Creek Adventure Golf
• Lowe’s on Carter Street

Pub of the Year:

• Den Engel, Leek
• Fitzherbert Arms, Swynnerton
• The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone
• The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer

Rising Star, sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent College:

• Daniel West – The Upper House Hotel
• Kirsty Holland – Alton Towers Resort
• Max Croston – Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group
• Orion Hunte – Courtyard by Marriott Keele
• Patrick Brown – Peak Wildlife Park

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year:

• ABC Boat Hire, Kings Orchard Marina, Lichfield
• Consall Valley Lodge, near Leek
• Eagle House Apartment, Eccleshall
• Ford Wetley Cottage, near Leek
• Weston Park Holiday Cottages, Weston-under-Lizard

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year:

• Eagle House, Eccleshall
• The Little George, Eccleshall
• Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:

• Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Dorothy Clive Garden, near Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent
• Tamworth Castle, Tamworth

Taste of England - Casual Dining Award:

• The Grosvenor Restaurant at Hales Hall, Cheadle
• The Star at Cotton, near Cheadle
• Thyme Kitchen, near Lichfield
• Ye Olde Rock Inn, near Leek

Taste of England - Restaurant of the Year:

• Lowe’s on Carter Street, Uttoxeter
• Lunar Restaurant, Barlaston
• The Oak House at Moddershall Oaks, near Stone
• The Plumicorn at the Tawny, near Leek
• Willow, Trentham Estate

Taste of England - Tea Room & Coffee Shop of the Year:

• Denstone Hall Farm Café, Denstone near Uttoxeter
• Poms Lichfield
• The Little George, Eccleshall
• World of Wedgwood Tea Room, Stoke-on-Trent

Team of the Year:

• Brampton Museum Team
• Doubletree by Hilton – Revenue, Sales & Marketing Team
• Lowe’s on Carter Street Team
• Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group – Riverbank Restaurant Team

Unsung Hero Award:

• David Hunter – Nelson’s Distillery & School
• Jodie Knapper – Trentham Estate
• Jonathan Fowler – Thyme Kitchen
• Stephen Waring – Alton Towers Resort

Martin Tideswell, Director of Commercial Strategy at the University of Staffordshire, said:

“We are delighted to support the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership by sponsoring the Tourism Awards in 2025, the centenary anniversary year of Stoke-on-Trent gaining city status.

“These awards are now hailed as the biggest Shire competition in England – a testament to the outstanding businesses who continue to put Staffordshire on the map.

“As well as being a wonderful place to live, work, study and visit, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is recognised as a crucible of creators, entrepreneurs and innovators – something that the University is proud to support.”

For more information, visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com/awards or contact Andrea Sammons at Visit Staffordshire, on 01785 276261 or tourism@staffordshire.gov.uk

You can watch a short video of the 2024 Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Awards here.